Inigo Martinez of Athletic Club remains one of the top targets for FC Barcelona heading into the summer transfer window.
The 31-year-old is in the final few months of his contract with the Basque club and has shown no indication of wanting to renew. All signs point towards him leaving the club as a free agent in the summer.
Barcelona have been interested in Martinez since last summer. Although no move materialised back then, the La Liga leaders still remain keen on the Spanish international.
However, according to reports from Birmingham Live, as relayed by DEPREDICT Barcelona are now set to face competition from Premier League side Aston Villa in the race to sign Martinez on a free transfer.
Aston Villa are managed by former Villarreal boss Unai Emery, who will have a deep knowledge of Martinez from his time in La Liga. And the Villans are now interested in signing the 31-year-old when his contract with Athletic Club runs out at the end of the season.
Barcelona, for their part, continue to remain interested in Martinez and see his signing in a Bosman deal as a very favourable option, even though they have recently been linked with a move for Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte.
But interest in Martinez seems to be rising with each passing day. Atletico Madrid were already said to be keen on signing the 31-year-old and now Aston Villa too have entered the fray for his capture.
At the same time, the report adds that Athletic Club could still offer their defender a new contract in order to keep him at San Mames beyond this season.
All these factors, coupled with some concerns over his fitness, could see the Catalans pass up on the signing of Martinez and explore other opportunities such as the aforementioned Laporte or Evan Ndicka, who will also be a free agent this summer.
